To blog.. or not to blog

I belive I can fly!!

2006-08-02T10:48:00.000+08:00

In one week's time I'll be on my way to New Zealand. Having lived in Taiwan with all the lack of space, I'm sure the adventure will prove beyond my imagination. I can't wait to see the beauty of the land of Lord of the Rings. I will also be skydiving for the first time in my life on August 18th. I can't wait. Although the very thought scares me into my foundation, I have always dreamt of doing something like this. Hopefully I'll post a pic of me in the same space next time.

"The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? - it is the same the angels breathe." ~Mark Twain

Something sweet

2006-07-30T22:42:00.000+08:00

I've had so much fun. Only taught a few extra days at my old kindergarten. Last Friday we made some nice Chocolate Hot Pot. I helped the kids to dip the fruit in the chocolate and then enduldge.

I am a self-proclaimed chocoholic and I slipped in a few pieces of choc-fruit when I got the chance. The kids are so cool and I really miss being able to teach kindergarten.

Monday the 31st is my last day there and I have to say goodbye again. But it was all worth the while.

We all stand together

2006-07-25T00:09:00.000+08:00

I had an amazing weekend last weekend. I went to say goodbye to my dear friend Adele who I've only known for a few months. She's one of those people who feels like you've known them for years. We were chatting, had wine and just enjoyed having a good change of scene.

The pic is of our feet. 3 South Africans and 2 Taiwanese - Standing together and learning from both worlds.

"East" doing well in the South

2006-07-18T23:49:00.000+08:00

I got very good news today. The Afrikaans novel I wrote has done very well so far in a national competition in South Africa. My novel "OOS" (East) has been selected as one of 6 finalists for the grand prize which will be announced on 24 September 2006. There were 178 books entered in the category and I'm a finalist.

I'm very happy and I feel like a winner already. I hope that 2006 will be the year where my life takes a serious turn for the better. I'll keep you posted. Hold thumbs.

The birdies are ready to fly now...

2006-07-15T23:44:00.000+08:00

What a busy day! But also very special. I taught some kids English for about a year in 2005. I haven't taught them for the last 7 months, but I did join their graduation today. They were so happy to see me and we took lots of photos and I had to give lots of hugs. Gosh, I missed them. They were so cute and I was quite sad to see them grow up so fast.

That's the one nice thing about being a teacher. One mom and one dad sees their little boy or girl graduating, but to me, I feel like a dad seeing all 18 my children graduating. It was surely a very special day. I hope them all the luck with their futures and may I have planted enough seeds in their small minds to inspire them to become great people.

Pick on someone your own size!

2006-07-13T09:42:00.000+08:00

Severe Tropical Storm Bilis is heading over Taiwan right now. Man, I got little sleep. They say that the tallest trees catch the most wind. Well, I believe that one for sure. I live on the 15th floor of my apartment and it feels like I'm blowing away. Since Bilis isn't a huge typhoon, we all have to work in the south.

Even after 4 years here, I'm still not really used to these kinds of things. Back in Africa we were always spoiled from natural disasters.

PIE*SAY is born...

2006-07-12T10:13:00.000+08:00

This is the back of our new T-shirts. It says "pie*say... (meaning I'm sorry in Taiwanese)... although I'm smart, I'm still too stupid to read my own T-shirt. We're starting to sell them now. Everywhere I go a few Taiwanese are starting to giggle. This nation is so nice, they won't even just come up to you and say: "Excuse me, but do you know what your shirt says?".

So I'm enjoying making the world smile. This is why I'm here after all.

We're thinking of other ideas too and we'll soon try to hit the Taiwanese market.

Any ideas for funny shirts starting with "I'm sorry..." will be more than welcome!

I have blogged to another address

2006-07-11T18:01:00.000+08:00

Why the move?

I have needs you know and I felt that I couldn't say and do as much on my other blog as on this one. That's why the change.

I've had some busy days lately. Started a T-shirt business with a good friend and so far so good. We are trying to make some extra cash on the sideline.

Going to New Zealand in August. Can't wait. Got my itinerary today and it's going to be a jam packed holiday as I'm going to travel through North and South Island in as little as 10 days. I'll even visit the nortorious Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings.

Keep visiting the blog. I'll try to update regularly.